It’s the kind of openness necessary to bring out the best in our state.

Ducey’s remarks were made during a break in a commerce meeting, which is appropriate. Economic development is closely tied to the education system. Ducey said he was “listening to concerns” and looking to produce “a better, more thoughtful” plan.

Talk about a breath of fresh air.

Arizona has had more than its share of pitched battles. When it comes to our education system, those fights too often happen in court, where the adversarial setting does not encourage a consensus resolution.

Discussions are ongoing to resolve a lawsuit in which a judge ruled the state shorted schools by not providing voter-mandated funding for inflation during the recession. Previous negotiations have failed.

A lot rides on the willingness of all to compromise and cooperate now.

Beyond what’s owed under the voter mandate, the governor and others agree that Arizona should no longer be known as a state that keeps its schools in the bargain basement.

Our schools need more money to meet modern challenges. Our students deserve better opportunities. Our state will compete more effectively for economic development if it’s seen as a place that values a quality public-education system.

The state’s leaders agree on the need for higher funding. That’s a victory. Now the challenge is to determine how much and how to pay for it.

Ducey offered a plan in June that tapped the state land trust to put $2.2 billion into schools over 10 years. It’s a temporary fix that will result in a sudden drop in funding, something Ducey says he’s looking to rectify.

There also are concerns about whether siphoning off so much would unduly deplete the trust. State Treasurer Jeff DeWit says it will.

GOP lawmakers have their own plan to fund education. It takes less from the trust but raids a fund voters created to improve early-childhood education. Democrats and Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas also have proposals for pumping more money into the system.

In saying he’s open to modifying his plan by listening to and working with the education community and lawmakers, Ducey threw open the door to finding the best plan for Arizona.

If he follows through with genuine consensus building – and if he is met with cooperation – Arizona could move beyond petty, ideological nonsense and achieve something positive for our state and its school children.

The best solution will not come from one person or one political party. It will emerge from tapping the expertise of all those who share a sincere desire to improve Arizona’s education system.

Ideally a solution to the lawsuit and a consensus education-funding plan will be reached in time for a special session this year.

That’s a lot to ask in a state where a previous governor was labeled a “Judas” by members of her own party for bucking orthodoxy.

But with the cool morning breezes these days, this may be the right time to move past the heat and into a better era for Arizona’s schools.